SUPER RARE find Mudlarking London

Join Si and Matt as they embark on another foreshore adventure uncovering and discovering objects on the historic foreshore of London. Si makes a d=iscovery that reveals the history of one of the notorious companies in British History

[@Noactualdirection]

I am addicted to these Mudlarking videos. I get excited with every find. Subscribed to you all. Keep up the great work and thanks.

[@Bunpei427]

I swear, everytime he opens the video I hear "My Lovers" instead of "Mud Lovers" lol!

[@onemantravels1130]

I genuinely thought it was my lovers hahaha

[@corbinbacon9043]

Makes it a little awkward when nicola white's voice comes in on some intro's and she says, "but you are a mud lover" 😏, I heard it too, especially because youtube messed up my subtitles on windy days outside. And then I caught glimpse of the mudlover hat.

[@lizzieholland]

If he was from the South West of the UK, he might well address us as my lovers.

[@salishseaquest7952]

Hey, Simon....Another great video. Have you thought about a Patreon account in lieu of adverts? I think there are a lot of us who would contribute to see you do more of these videos! Your knack for finding and explaining everything is invaluable -- especially for many of us armchair mudlarkers who would love to visit you and Nic and Matt and Rich and Terry on the Thames Foreshore, but probably never will. Think about it, mate. Thanks for taking us along and giving us a history lesson as well. You're the Best!

[@Sifinds]

Salish Sea Quest Thanks for the kind words. I’ve never considered that before, I’ll look into it. And you’re with us in spirit! Thanks for being there!

[@catgp2015]

I love the happy face tile! Glad youguys saved it, Nicole would love it. Cheers

[@dyanekward6346]

I agree, she would, indeed!!

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Great video si

[@Sifinds]

Cheers Nic!

[@steven2212]

Bucket list...to Mudlark the Thames with Si. Such cool stuff, history buff here.

[@traceybradshaw]

Love it! The East India Co button was a great find. I’m enthralled by the stories behind the finds. To me, the research is just as fun as the treasure hunting.

[@Sifinds]

Thanks Tracey! Yes they are little gifts that keep on giving!

[@JacobafJelling]

Just finished watching the last video from the last two years. I like you as a host. Thank you for the hours of chill. Will be coming back. -Denmark

[@PompeyChris71]

Love the way you research stuff Si. Makes the objects mean something.

[@kristenevans4557]

That was awesome. Everything cleaned up so well. I also love to imagine the former life of the objects you all find. It’s so fascinating. You could almost use them as writing prompts and write a short fiction tale around the objects and how they come to be in the River. Very good video. Thanks for sharing.

[@Sifinds]

Kristen Evans Great idea! Thanks for watching

[@joannhempen8210]

Loved the adventure! Really enjoyed the bit of history at the end. Your a great story teller!

[@sheiladickerson5198]

Enjoyed the mudlarking today and history lesson Si!

[@lancevalenzuela5165]

I love watching mudlarks! I am in the states and wish we had ancient finds like you guys. Cheers!

[@karenwheatley5109]

I'm so glad you took "Happy Chappy" lol x

[@joanhamilton2651]

Amazing finds. Thanks for taking us ‘wannabes’ on your adventures and for the history lessons.

[@rogerdempsey7227]

Good morning Si all the way from Texas enjoy your fines and your show keep them coming I'll keep watching them enjoying them

[@Sifinds]

Aw cheers Roger!

[@threefortytwo23]

I'm amazed by how much you find without a beep stick. Great video, great effort, great great.

[@mollyesther1]

Ahhh Matt is the cutest! Especially when he’s crisply correcting Si on geography & history 😅

[@desertrose2059]

Thank you, Simon, for taking me along, as usual, I very much enjoyed it! Always entertaining!

[@Sifinds]

D R aw thanks mate. Appreciate the kind words 🤙🏻

[@sherryrector2275]

Great finds today. It’s good to find things that make you dream about the past history.

[@Sifinds]

Thanks Sherry, I dream too much!

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

That metal cylinder may have been a ballast maybe? The buckle frame your friend found looks like a watch bezel. I use vintage watch parts in my jewelry making and it looks like a lady's watch bezel. Just another possibility. Great finds guys!!

[@moirablack3768]

TC stands for Top Cat lol!! Used to love that cartoon😜

[@peterjohnston446]

Another great wee hunt guys with some really nice finds coming up well done & happy hunting.

[@Sifinds]

Peter Johnston Thanks Peter!

[@TheTonialadd]

5:30 in, its a petrified sausage!!! Rare find indeed Si! 👍🏼

[@joec.9591]

Several centuries of history, all in one day. How amazing is that?!

[@marshallmann]

who would have thunk i could learn so much while enjoying these videos :)

[@iancameron1662]

Always fun watching you from Michigan also watching Nicole tell her Ian said hi from Michigan

[@robin2724]

Thank you so much Si for taking me along, each video is better than the last. I long to be kneeling on the foreshore digging through the muck. Unfortunately kneeling is no longer in my repertoire, once down, I can't get up. I so look forward to your videos, keep up the excellent work! You could attach your trowel with cord or fashion a holster, like a pin pointer so you can't lose it

[@Sifinds]

I have thought about using a mitten string!

[@skcamerican]

We call mitten strings idiot strings in the western US. I could use them on my socks...

[@lovelyskull3483]

Thank you, I enjoy every second of your shows, Cheers.

[@Sifinds]

Ah thanks, that means a lot!

[@suetaylor5186]

Loving it Si.......GL and HH xx Fave thing was the smiling face brick 😀

[@McChrister]

I was happy to see a “fresh” posting today! Great finds again...I laughed when you guys joked about the limp cannon. Especially when your friend said; “Give it a rub!” LoL....And another great record titled “Treasure Island” to display your finds on!👍🏼 Thanks for taking me on your adventure...GL and HH🙏🏼🍀 Cheers from Canada...❤️🇨🇦🍻

[@Sifinds]

Glad you noticed the record! Thanks for watching. Si

[@shellyrourke8994]

When I watch your videos my mind boggles, imagining the last person who held the find. Who were they? Were they happy? Did they have a long life? Did they have a few ales with their friends after work? Did they have children? Were they in love? Did they die surrounded by their family - or alone? What did they look like? Were they kind or horrible? Then I wonder if someone will find something that used to belong to me in a few hundred years time and wonder the same thing! WINE! GET ME SOME WINE!!!!

[@Sifinds]

Shelly Rourke #dreamers

[@pattaylor4407]

Wonderful! Thanks for the tutorial about the East India Co.! Very nice graphics to illustrate your story!

[@nicoladavies3391]

There was a lady on Antiques roadshow today who worked for a company still making clay pipes in Manchester up to the mid 1990s. John Pollock & Co.

[@Sifinds]

I made my own clay pipe recently, from scratch, no mold either, do you think people would want to see that? I recorded it all...

[@nicoladavies3391]

Si-finds Worth a go!

[@johicks8168]

@@Sifinds would love to see it

[@dinahjackson8146]

YEEES !!! ❤

[@wyldchild346]

My first Thought was "oh you must give the Smile Tile to Nicola" Love you Si From USA, This year I buy a metal detector, I used to run a Surveying business in Washington State. Sometime I would come across areas of great beauty. In the mountains, Valleys and Fields. As a little girl in Kansas my oldest Brother gave me a green arrow head. I still have it. I did work for a Tribe here for 9 1/2 years now unemployed, but new adventure for me I am an Artist you feed my creative Soul. Blessings in your fines everyday, keep them coming!

[@Sifinds]

Wyld Child Thank you my friend. Have a creative day!!!

[@dianeaylesbury3072]

Hi Si, thank you for your time and effort and videos. Awesome and amazing. Diane from Southampton UK

[@Sifinds]

Diane Aylesbury Thanks Diane!

[@davedump4943]

Diane Aylesbury up the saints

[@bingobutler9656]

Another great video! Someday I would love to walk the Thames.

[@lindar1788]

I found your channel not too long ago and I absolutely love it! It would be such a blast doing these treasure hunts! You had some fantastic finds as usual. I noticed that large blue & white pottery with the barn/house is the same image as a shard in one of Nic’s videos I just watched yesterday (found her too 😋). I believe it was the one where she got distracted by the web in her window 😂

[@moirablack3768]

Great finds again- very interesting thanks🙏🤗

[@mirkatu3249]

Another interesting, educational and entertaining vid! Thank you. :-)

[@emmavanursel2610]

new subscriber here, going to your video's right now and I really enjoy watching you guys going through all that stuff. And the free history lessons as well :)

[@Sifinds]

Emma Van Ursel Welcome Emma! Enjoy Mudlover! Si

[@susanpye9821]

I find your videos very interesting the way you tell the history so keep mud larking

[@mymagiclieswithin]

I always have such a great time with you two! You can tell you enjoy each others company and like ribbing each other as good friends do and that makes for great laughs for everyone! Super finds for both of you! Really impressed with your common wealth coin, Simon, very cool! Til next time, take care! xx ~Jen

[@Sifinds]

Thanks Jen! Yes I put up with him

[@cynthiaswearingen1037]

I think your large oblong iron object could be a window weight--just a guess! Lovely finds, including the East India button and its history! And I adore your Cheeky Chappie! I think he's very happy to be going home with you!

[@Sifinds]

Thanks, yes window weight seems plausable, the cheeky chappy is enjoying life in my garden now!

[@MetalDetectingSweden]

That is just fantastic. Would love to do some mudlarking some day...

[@Kinnesan]

Thanks for the lark...Sunday is fun day when it begins with Is-Finds!

[@Sifinds]

Michaela Kinne almost 😂

[@Kinnesan]

spell check! @@Sifinds

[@dannyobrian5957]

Awesome finds that day !

[@daveyjoweaver5183]

You guys are lucky muckers! Sure do enjoy your adventures along the Thames and I Thank You Kindly from a Pennsylvania mudlubbers, DaveyJO

[@WestCountryClegg]

Good Morning my Luver! Great video!

[@lindagomez3114]

Love the happy face tile!

[@jaybales3160]

Congratulations gentlemen on your discoveries. Always enjoy the history of the finds. Looking forward to your next adventure. Thanks for sharing.

[@Sifinds]

Jay Bales Thanks Jay!

[@fartymud]

Greetings from Canada 🇨🇦 I found a East India Co. Heavy copper shipping tag while detecting a river site here in Canada. It was linked to the Fur trade bud ! Made my Day

[@DennisMorrison1955]

Awesome as always!

[@Sifinds]

Thanks Dennis!

[@cindyilbcnu763]

Si and Matt, some fantastic lucky finds for a St. Paddy's Day post! Thanks for sharing.

[@Sifinds]

Cindy ILBCNU Cheers Cindy!

[@sidkelly7507]

Hiya Si & Matt. Some nice pieces of history saved again , well done lads, thanks for the trip 👍🇮🇪

[@Sifinds]

Sid kelly Cheers Sid. Happy St Patrick’s day!

[@tandyjenkins5333]

Thanks for taking me along so much fun.

[@Sifinds]

Tandy Jenkins Thanks for joining us!

[@whotknots]

I thoroughly enjoy your presentations and considerable knowledge on an eclectic range of subjects so thank you, Sci. However I sometimes wonder if people might be interested in some additional information with regard to the East India Company which is particularly relevant to residents of the Asia Pacific region. Tragically, British 'mercantile policies' did not enjoy glowing reputations in Africa, Asia and the America's during the era when the 'East India Company' prospered. Consequently that name does not elicit the most benign sentiments for some cultures in the region as the following extracts from the internet reveal; "During the First Opium War (1839-1842), the British government resorted to “gunboat diplomacy” to force the Chinese government to keep the ports in Shanghai, Canton and elsewhere open to 'trade'." "The term ‘gunboat diplomacy’ was coined during the Opium Wars in China during the mid 19th century." "Meanwhile, a problem remained for the British: How to pay for all of the merchandise being 'obtained' from China? Britain soon found the solution in India, where it was firmly established by 1800. It was there that they developed a rival export commodity with even greater “therapeutic” properties: it was the OPIUM poppy. Describing opium’s destructive addictive properties, a popular saying of the time in the region was: “The hole of an opium pipe is as small as a needle, but you can put a water buffalo in it and you can also smoke hundreds of mu of land through it.” 1820-30’s: The opium trade snowballs and Silver starts to pour out of China. By 1825, opium imports forced upon it by the British pushed China’s trade balance into the red. The Qing government declared opium illegal and tried to stamp it out for decades without success. Without an effective navy the Chinese simply couldn’t stop British 'traders'. The prohibition on opium was also ignored by the significant number of Chinese people who were addicted to it-which wasn’t helped by the fact that an estimated 20% of officials were also smoking it (reminds me of the No Smoking signs ignored by Chinese men today!). THE OPIUM WAR: GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY AT ITS 'FINEST' In 1839, the Qing got tough on opium-dumping 3 million pounds (by weight) of opium into the sea. That is 1,363,636kg or 1,363,636 metric tons of a highly addictive, despicable drug. Britain responded by blockading the port of Guangzhou and sinking several Chinese war junks and thus the first Opium War started. Britain’s superior weaponry took the Qing by complete surprise and British cannons were able to fire with impunity from far away at sea. It was over quickly- with a complete, one-sided thrashing for China by the British navy and a humiliating defeat for the Qing. Not since the Mongols had China been so thoroughly driven into submission. The 'war' ended with the signing of the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842 (the first of several “unequal treaties”). The Qing Empire was forced to pay the relevant British 'merchants' 21 million silver dollars as compensation for the quantity of highly addictive and extremely harmful narcotic Qing officials had dumped into the sea as an act of desperate defiance. The Qing were also forced to open five cities as “treaty ports” (Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Ningbo and Shanghai) and in addition the treaty also ceded Hong Kong to the British. Significantly, foreigners were also given “extra-territorial rights” which prevented a Chinese government from prosecuting any foreigners who committed crimes against Chinese laws (instead foreign transgressors would be tried by foreign courts in China). China’s losses in the Opium Wars ushered in what was known in China as the “Century of Humiliation” which ended with the Japanese defeat in World War II and the subsequent establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Incredible as it may seem such activities were not a patch on the plundering that went on in India though. Because the British government allowed it's primary commercial representative for the region in the guise of the East India Company to maintain a private army in India. Some historians cite such factors as profoundly influential contributions to Japan attacking the United States of America resulting in the outbreak of World War Two! So, even after all this time, a simple, innocent reference to a company name can still elicit profound associations and sentiments in some regions. (I had a great-Aunt who lived in China around the turn of the twentieth century and she imparted a very subjective perspective regarding this subject)

[@goldripper4138]

I never knew that about Canary Wharf... Lived in London for years and its very interesting to find that out now.. Cheers SiFinds... Your a real pleasure to listen to.. I'd love to buy you a pint one day👌

[@Sifinds]

Gold Ripper Cheers mate 🍻

[@catherinethompson2525]

Another good video, I'm watching some of your older ones but I haven't ever seen and this 1 was really nice you found some great things and these coins and that button You should have a pendant made and wear the great history!!

[@paxattacks7471]

hey cool this really helped on my mudlarking report

[@mimimitch327]

Love it as always!

[@treasurejensen7682]

Love your videos ❤️ ty so much for the adventure 😊

[@Sifinds]

Treasure Jensen Cheers Jensen!

[@justdustino1371]

Good video! That East India Co. button is fascinating. I guess it is pewter. I think that oblong iron object was a fishing net weight, window weights are narrow and have a hasp on one end, or eyelet is the word I'm looking for, I guess that one was woven into a net, but don't get me to lying.

[@Sifinds]

Thanks mate, fishing net weight eh? Could well be...

[@justdustino1371]

@@Sifinds There was an Armstrong shell shaped similar....but you'd have brass studs sticking out on the sides....it is in my opinion a weight for big nets on a commercial trawler.

[@lisalorentz7919]

New to your channel. Really enjoying it! I'm curious to learn what you do with your finds.

[@Sifinds]

Lisa Lorentz I have a few finds cabinets and use old printers trays too

[@davewhittington1368]

Loved the coins and tokens. Thanks for sharing

[@Sifinds]

Thanks Dave!

[@findinggoodies2328]

Very nice video and awesome finds as always hi si its Tracy from finding goodies sorry I haven't emailed you back yet been very busy but I will very soon hugs talk soon great video

[@rosievasquez523]

God bless you guys

[@dinahjackson8146]

I too, thought it was MY LOVERS and LIKED IT !!! 😂😍😁

[@debbielb2325]

Just getting all the episodes in that were posted before I found these neat videos! Just as you were saying, every artefact tells a story that is left to our imagination. Working on my family history, my 5x great grandfather, Williams Reynolds owned the Prince of Wales pub in the early-mid 19th century. Fun to wonder if that trade token could have been his! He was unfortunately fined for dishonesty in measuring out drinks.

[@pollyg562]

my 68 year old mum just said "what an arrogant so and so " so i asked how so? she said that intro "how are you my lovers? i needed a good laugh

[@Sifinds]

Haha, it's actually 'Mud lovers', and to say 'My lovers' is an endearing term too - used in the West of England meaning 'my friends'. ; )

[@catgp2015]

Beautiful finds!

[@Sifinds]

Thanks!

[@dyanekward6346]

Haha!! The comments about your cannon were TOO funny!! Naughty, naughty boy, Simon! (I said, tittering...)

[@sandscratcherbri5574]

nice assortment of finds lads

[@lynnerodgers4461]

The iron bit looks like a medicine capsule. Now that would really be a huge iron supplement, lol.

[@dracorino9668]

Great video, interesting and inspiring. 👍

[@Sifinds]

John Molloy Thanks John!

[@amplexus100]

Great video as usual . The little copper alloy cross is a Victorian furniture mount

[@Sifinds]

Yes! Oddly enough on the PAS website it saying it's a medieval pilgrims badge! Hence my confusion at the time of finding

[@amplexus100]

@@Sifinds Yeah . There was bit of a debate over them at one point point . They were thought to be medieval but they're pressed . Someone ( sorry , I forget who ) sent me a pic of one mounted on a Victorian mirror

[@tobypartington6264]

Just watching you on BBC“s 'Curiosity' and thought I recognised that voice!

[@tomshively5419]

Maybe big clock weight or dough roller! Love the East India company!

[@connie736]

Love your larks.

[@Sifinds]

Connie Thanks Connie! 🤙🏻

[@franrowe8696]

I love all these finds, to see what our ancestors once touched and the stories behind them?!

[@Sifinds]

Fran Rowe Me too!

[@MsTilda2]

Yepeee I love your videos👍👍👍😊

[@Sifinds]

Helle Dahl Kristensen Thanks !!!

[@MsTilda2]

@@Sifinds you are most welcome, The Thames has so mutch historie and small treasures, and you are great at telling small stories of each. Thank you for shareing your passion🙏❤

[@ChillBill1]

Tremendous Commonwealth penny!

[@Sifinds]

Chill Bill Cheers CB!

[@rondihartert3610]

Hi Si! Another fun video! I love to sew and am very intrigued by the palm protector. Does Matt sell his funds? I also would love to have a button or buttons from the Thames. I didn't see any on your etsy's page. Is that something that you just keep? I'm in the states, and love all of the history that you have there! Britain is my bucket list trip!

[@MrVxrman]

Olwight mud lovers 🙂 yeah we are all mud lovers fore shore 😉 Sorry Si I could not resist that 🙏 Great video as always man 🙂🍻👍

[@Sifinds]

Very good, haha

[@lillianryder7344]

Nice video love Commonwealth coin..i never get bored watching a bit of history..Well done 🇮🇪 happy paddys day

[@melhusa]

OMG, I'm totally in love with you! :D

[@Scrappy7238]

Wow Simon absolutely brilliant finds! Yes the history that hangs on to them , is the most interesting. Just finding it and putting it away ... you can't do that ! Didn't know that about the E.I company. What do use to get coins and tokens so clean ? I have an ultrasonic , but the things come out Matt.

[@Sifinds]

karl loader Cheers Karl, how was Germany? (I think it was Germany you went to). I use electrolysis in short bursts then a fibreglass pen 🤙🏻

[@Scrappy7238]

@@Sifinds Ah good idea ! I emigrated hier in 2000,( come from Gloucester ) I'm still waiting for news from a museum in Nuremberg. I'm gonna call them again on Thursday. Bloody krauts 😊 If you want anything translated , give me a shout ! Gotta a lot of work on at the moment ( event technician). I've had very few days off, in the last couple weeks. One day out detecting randomly detecting in a forest, found some old Reich pfennig coins, bullets a.s.o.

[@Whocares.........]

Looked like the scoop already been fixed before!

[@Sifinds]

R. knudson yeah he found it down there. Haha

[@Whocares.........]

Si- forgot to tell you, nice finds and history lesson.

[@patifagan6774]

Having one of those days,eh?good finds

[@rosievasquez523]

I was so happy that he got one of the bricks that I was looking at I saw a different kind of brick where your friend was picking up one of the coin

[@dennischavez7503]

I believe the iron artifact is a sounding weight to manually measure depth. The "flat" spot might have been where the eye to attach a sounding line sheared off.

[@td4dotnet]

"Flaccid Cannon..." "...Give it a rub then!" Hahahaha excellent :-)

[@redcap774]

Thanks for sharing your interesting finds and history info, is your searching restricted to one specific area or anywhere you choose. I spent 30 years metal detecting, near my home in Suffolk, now health and age prevents me getting around, so anything I find on the net about searching, like your efforts along the Thames shore, give me much pleasure. Well done, look forward to seeing more from you. Incidentally, my cover photo on FB, its one of my finds, child's silver thimble date 1550 approx., research via the Thimble Society confirmed it being made by London Silversmith, David Tanqueray.

[@Sifinds]

Hi Derrick, thanks for the kind words! I bet you found some cool things in that time! What happened to all your permissions? The thimble is lovely! See you on the next adventure! Si

[@52Morgan52]

Another great vid, Si. What’s your preferred option, eyes only or detector?

[@Sifinds]

If the location allows - eyes only

[@52Morgan52]

Si-finds I’ve been stroll/searching eyes only but thinking I might try just picking a few spots and searching to see if it is more productive. I like the trade tokens, especially the identifiable business ones as well as the more home made style. (If anyone else is reading this can I recommend Si-finds vid on making tokens at home). Do you know Si if the business tokens were made by the specific company or the guild the merchant/seller belonged to?

[@Sifinds]

Chris Morgan If we are talking lead tokens, I’m pretty sure they were made by the vendors, to deal with the lack of small change. Purely a practical use.

[@52Morgan52]

Si-finds the lead type I’ve also found in fields, too. I was thinking more about who produced the ones that have the vendors initials and I believe his wife’s initial makes up the 3rd letter on one side and the address around the edge on the other.

[@conitorres9774]

Wonderful video. Smiley face was adorable. Could the white object you found be a base/stand?

[@Sifinds]

Yes i think you're right! Thanks!

[@willparry]

Nice Wilko spons!

[@Sifinds]

Haha, I wish! I did bloody lose that trowel as well, had to buy another! I think I'm keeping Wilko in business with trowel purchases alone!

[@relicholic7508]

Looks like a petrified medieval banger to me. You know for their beans eh wot?

[@whotknots]

In the metal casting trade sometimes pattern makers use additional chambers to provide extra metal for castings to 'take up' as they cool and contract but such features are not normally so precisely shaped as the thingy you found Sci. Maybe the flat bit on one end is evidence of the thing having been a counter weight which might have broken off the arm of a guillotine or press used by a printer or something? I do know cast iron is difficult to repair if it does break and it is normally not nearly so strong afterwards hence it might be chucked out instead!?

[@alexcarle8086]

Got my Dad looking to see if any old type setting bits hanging around still... my friend and I planning a mudlark this summer!! Can't wait for some luck in the muck!

[@Sifinds]

Oh yes! Keep me posted, and good luck in that there muck!

[@alisonfenn4836]

just started watching your vids very enjoyable amazing what you find did you find out what the large weight was for did read though some replies as soon as i saw it its the weight for a compound pulley system normal used to reach the attic door in mills more than likley used to unload cotton at dock side mills well thats what i thought but i could be wrong just couldnt bring myself to read all 302 comments lol